The complainant requested information from the Cabinet Office relating to correspondence between equalities office ministers and specific organisations. By the date of this notice, the Cabinet Office had not issued a substantive response to the request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office has failed complete its deliberations on the balance of the public interest within a reasonable time and has therefore breached section 17(3) of the FOIA. The Commissioner requires the Cabinet Office to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Having confirmed that information is held within the scope of the request, either disclose the requested information or, issue a refusal notice in accordance with the requirements of section 17 of the FOIA. The Cabinet Office must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.
FOI 17(3): Complaint upheld
Citations:
[2022] UKICO ic-150806
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Information
Updated: 04 September 2022; Ref: scu.674857
